OK,
weatherman, you're the only job-holder allowed to be wrong 100% of the
time and remain employed. You're saying it will be sunny and cool
tomorrow, and you best be right...

Cuz I'm looking to install
the long-awaited Mason sculpture. It looks great... wrapped in plastic
in the shop, but it's time to settle in its new home and unveil it for
the first time since the finishers completed it.

This weekend is the big blacksmith conference in Troy OH, hosted by Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil.
Super fun, educational, and a necessity if you need a tool - of any
kind - especially if you don't know the name of it. Place is
fee-nom-in-all!

Also, taking a load of historic wrought iron
down to sell ($2/lb.). For you local folks, it's from the bridge in
Maple Rapids that washed out in the flooding this spring. All proceeds
benefit the historic metal conference at LCC (held each spring). If you
want some before it goes, better let me know ASAP.

"...cause
I’m pissed off for greatness. Cause if you ain’t pissed off for
greatness, that just means you’re okay with being mediocre.” – Ray Lewis

This hit me between the eyes this morning. I've a had a blessed year,
with four months still left, and I attribute being a bit pissed off as a
prime contributor. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was
sick of what-ifs, maybes, and regrets. It's hard to compete from the
sidelines. Now, I'm in the arena kicking ass and having fun...

Project from last weekend... My family is
heading to a cabin (yes, without me - waaaaa) and needed cooking gear.
Here's the adjustable, portable grill. Also made up/spruced up a variety
of campfire tools too.

The
sculpture proposals for the City of Mason have been whittled down and
recommendations submitted to City Council. They are supposed to take the
issue up at their mid-June meeting. The wait continues.

Bummer. I came in second for the gateway sculpture project in DeWitt Township. Really happy to be a finalist.

The Township Manager said the two of us were even and the decision was
very difficult. The committee felt I had the most integrated overall
design, and they were impressed with my presentation. He called me to
tell me this because a letter just wouldn't do. Can't ask for more than
that!

Friday
was the deadline for final proposals to DeWitt Township. Whew, that was
a lot of work and I don't even have the job. Decision next month... In the meantime, work on the Potter Park sculpture will commence. Need to move it along before ScrapFest starts June 1.

To celebrate Mother's Day and gardening we did a Blacksmith Demonstration at our preferred landscaping company. Dace made a day lily for the gentleman in the picture. We have items for sale at the nursery. http://crookedtreenursery.com/

Visited my first Lions Club (http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/lansinghost/index.php)
luncheon yesterday for a contract signing regarding their Sensory
Garden project. Got to meet the other artists creating sculptures for
the garden. What a great project to be part of.

Ever wonder what a metal sculptor, that can
sketch but not draw, does when such skills are required? After tracing
onto plywood, here I'm cutting out the legs of a leopard for an upcoming
sculpture commission.

Hey fans, check out my new publication. It's a
do-it-yourself, selected portfolio that (hopefully) shows off a little
of what we do... Comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
Thanks for all your support!!Dace K-13 Metal Art Idea Book